A Closer Look at Clinical Nurse Specialist Careers
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) have many important roles in healthcare. They act as educators, helping others learn, and as advisors, guiding healthcare teams. CNSs also provide direct patient care, conduct research, and take on leadership roles.
This article will explore the world of clinical nurse specialists, looking at their job opportunities and the ways they can advance in their careers. We will also discuss the education needed to become a CNS, including the degrees and training required for this rewarding profession.
Let’s delve into the world of clinical nurse specialists, exploring their job prospects, CNS career advancement, and the education required.
Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Time Required for Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist: On average, it takes 7-8 years to become a clinical nurse specialist.
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Job Outlook: The job outlook for clinical nurse specialists is promising, with a projected 45% growth from 2019 to 2029, which is applicable to all advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Average Earning Potential: Clinical nurse specialists typically earn an average salary of $91,300, according to PayScale.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Career Overview
What Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Do?
To become a clinical nurse specialist, you usually need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), although certification is optional. This role encompasses a broad CNS job description that varies by specialty.
A Closer Look at Clinical Nurse Specialist Careers
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) focus on providing patient care in specific areas such as adult-gerontology, family practice, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, and women’s health. They collaborate with fellow nurses and medical professionals, often holding leadership roles as nurse educators, researchers, advisors, and advocates for healthcare policies.
The primary responsibilities of CNSs include:
- Providing or assisting with direct patient care.
- Educating nurses and medical staff.
- Leading evidence-based practice projects.
- Educating patients, their families, and the community.
- Mentoring nursing students.
- Conducting or assisting with research.
Key Skills Required for Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Attention to detail.
- Effective communication and critical thinking.
- Compassion.
- Strong leadership abilities.
- Resourcefulness.
Where Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Work?
Clinical nurse specialists can be found in various healthcare settings. More than a third of CNSs work in hospitals with acute care patients, nearly 30% find employment in academic health centers, and 10% choose careers in nursing education in academia. Here’s a breakdown of their typical CNS roles in healthcare:
Hospital – Acute Care: In this setting, CNSs manage direct patient care, oversee acute care and improvement, and provide supervision and education to nursing staff.
Academic Health Center – Acute Care: CNSs in academic health centers offer acute care consultation, implement evidence-based practices, and evaluate nursing students.
Nursing Education – Academia: CNSs working in academia lecture and instruct courses, design curricula, and engage in research to identify best practices.
Distinguishing the Difference Between a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Nurse Practitioner
While clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners (NPs) may share some similarities in their duties, they differ in their practice focuses. Nurse practitioners typically work in teams with other healthcare providers to deliver advanced nursing care, while clinical nurse specialists concentrate on managing, educating, and promoting safe and effective practices within healthcare systems.
Clinical Nurse Specialist:
- Practice focuses on care or problem type, medical specialty, and patient population.
- Requires a master’s or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree.
- Average annual salary is approximately $91,300.
- Duties include expert consultation, application of evidence-based practices, healthcare administration, improving healthcare system and patient outcomes, and teaching.
Nurse Practitioner:
- Practice primarily focuses on specific patient populations.
- Requires a master’s or DNP degree.
- Average annual salary is around $114,510.
- Duties encompass direct patient care, primary care diagnoses, health assessments, treatment, prescribing medications (if permitted by state law), disease prevention, education, and diagnostic testing.
Steps to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Becoming a clinical nurse specialist involves a structured process. While a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is currently the minimum requirement, there’s a shift endorsed by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) towards the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by 2030. Here are the steps in the CNS education pathway:
- Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A BSN is the starting point, qualifying nurses to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) and earn their RN license.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam: Nursing school graduates usually take this exam about a month after completing their program, allowing them to obtain entry-level clinical work experience.
- Apply to an Accredited CNS Program: Graduates move on to graduate school, selecting a clinical specialty area. Admission requirements typically include an RN license, a year of clinical experience, a BSN, and program-specific prerequisite coursework.
- Graduate with an MSN or a DNP: Completing an MSN typically takes two years. MSN graduates transitioning to a DNP program will need an additional 1-2 years, while BSN-holders might spend around six years in the process. RN-to-DNP bridge programs offer streamlined options for qualified learners. Graduates apply for APRN licensure with their state nursing boards.
- Apply for Certification: Many state nursing boards and employers require CNSs to hold certification in their specialty area. CNS certification requirements align with patient populations, covering areas like adult-gerontology, pediatrics, and neonatal care.
How Much Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Make?
PayScale reports that the average base salary for clinical nurse specialists is around $91,300 annually. With bonuses and additional benefits, the total pay can range from $60,000 to $125,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a median annual salary of $117,670 for APRNs and equates clinical nurse specialists to APRNs. A 2018 National Sample Survey of registered nurses recorded a median clinical nurse specialist salary of $95,720.
It’s important to note that CNS salary by state can vary significantly. For instance, according to PayScale, CNSs in Los Angeles earn 33% more than the U.S. average, followed by New York City (27%) and Seattle (20%). However, CNSs in Milwaukee earn 8% less than the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should clinical nurse specialists earn a DNP?
The NACNS (National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists) recommends that clinical nurse specialists pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as the minimum degree required to become a CNS. The NACNS supports this because they believe the future of nursing practice is moving towards more complex patient needs. Therefore, they advocate for advanced practice nurse training at the doctoral level.
What are the most popular certifications for clinical nurse specialists?
According to the NACNS, the most favored certification specialization among clinical nurse specialists is in adult health/gerontology, with over 75% of CNSs choosing this credential. Other specializations include pediatrics (9%), family practice (5%), psychiatric/mental health (4%), women’s health/gender-specific (4%), and neonatal (3%).
Can clinical nurse specialists prescribe medication?
Whether or not clinical nurse specialists can prescribe medication depends on the laws of the state in which they practice. Some states permit independent prescriptive authority for CNSs, but others restrict it to psychiatric CNSs. Many states require CNSs to work under the supervision of a physician or have a collaborative agreement with one. In some states, CNSs are not allowed to prescribe medication.
Where do CNSs work?
Clinical nurse specialists can work in various settings. More than a third of them are employed in hospitals, particularly in roles involving acute care patients. Around 30% find employment in academic health centers. Some also choose careers in nursing education in academia. Their roles and responsibilities can vary depending on their workplace. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education regularly evaluate CNS training curriculum to ensure its high quality and compliance with the set certification and licensing standards.
Resources for Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)
NACNS provides valuable resources for CNSs, including hosting a national conference, sharing news updates and job listings, offering insurance discounts, and publishing an online journal and newsletter for its CNS members. They also offer discounted membership rates for nursing students. Other membership levels include practicing CNSs, retirees, and associates.
NACNS Cost Analysis Toolkit
The NACNS has developed a toolkit designed to assist CNSs in assessing the impact of their work on healthcare improvement. This toolkit offers strategies for implementing cost-analysis tools to quantify and describe the contributions CNSs make. It includes a comprehensive process checklist, literature review, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certifications (AACN)
The AACN offers certification options in several areas related to adult, adult-gerontology, pediatric, and neonatal patient populations. These certifications cover fields such as acute/critical care nursing, acute/critical care knowledge professionals, progressive care nursing, and CNS wellness through acute care. They also provide credentials in TeleICU acute/critical care nursing and adult cardiac medicine and cardiac surgery.
American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification (ANCC)
ANCC offers various certification options for all nurses, including an adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist credential. To be eligible, candidates need an RN license, a graduate nursing degree from an accredited adult-gerontology CNS program, 500 supervised clinical hours, and completion of specific prerequisite coursework. The certification exam typically lasts 3.5 hours.
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